This was my first time collaborating as a media consultant on this occasion. Final yr, my accreditation was rejected; then I acquired a ticket as a present from a pal, however the occasion was cancelled on account of a scarcity of snow (world warming?). Nonetheless, I went and located some new associates whom I’ve been maintaining with ever since… Anyway, we needs to be speaking about this yr’s occasion, proper?

The occasion itself passed off on an airfield subsequent to Zell Am See, Austria. Its roots go far again in time. It has had its ups and downs, however due to the Porsche household, it’s been revitalised. It offered a wonderful alternative for automotive fans across the globe to get pleasure from basic and new vehicles competing on ice, or to observe Skijöring (snowboarding whereas being pulled by a automotive). As you’ll count on from one thing backed by the Porsche household, you’ll be able to all the time depend on some exotics both being exhibited or ‘thrashed’ across the monitor. This yr was no exception. Though temperatures had been excessive (in comparison with what’s wanted for snow and ice), Ferdi and the FAT workforce did their greatest to maintain the snow intact and supply enjoyable for all individuals. They didn’t disappoint.

I arrived on day 0, stopping off to gather my media ticket on the native Skoda/VW dealership. At that second, I used to be shocked to see an actual, new 935 with particular FAT livery rising from one of many warehouses to move on to the monitor (later exhibited in entrance of the Porsche corridor). This prompted me to instantly head to the airfield to see what else I’d discover. It didn’t disappoint. I walked straight into an space the place Audi Custom was conducting a photograph/video session with Harald Demuth and an S1 Sport Quattro. Seeing the whole lot from the GT1 race automotive to an incredible assortment of Spyder race vehicles despatched numerous shivers down my backbone.

Because of Audi Hungary, I had the pleasure of travelling in a brand new RSQ3, which was a extremely handy associate all through the whole journey. After sufficient wandering, I met a pal in Zell who confirmed me round to {photograph} the Audi, fulfilling my a part of the cope with Audi Hungary.

The thrill from the day’s occasions made me wanting to see what the subsequent day would deliver and what else I may see, {photograph}, and expertise. I set out comparatively early to seize among the preparations and to {photograph} with out too many individuals round. The very first thing I caught was Ken Block’s Hoonitron being examined and videoed on the monitor – a spectacular view. That automotive remains to be bonkers, to not point out the legacy. Amongst the primary few vehicles on the monitor, I noticed 917cfk’s staggering recreation. Though it couldn’t full many laps because of the melting snow, it supplied me with just a few good frames – a road-legal 917K on spiked wheels and skis on high? Come on!

Because the day progressed, the snow started to soften considerably, posing severe issues for the organisers. The race itself needed to be cancelled, and sadly, we couldn’t see the Skijöring both. Nonetheless, this didn’t dampen anybody’s enthusiasm or diminish the environment of the occasion. As soon as the 4WD rally vehicles and expert drivers began smashing by the slush, they managed to cheer everybody up with a spectacular present. To high the whole lot off, Purple Bull’s ‘Flying Bulls present’ carried out a formidable air show through the break. We had been again to watching because the drivers turned extra acquainted and reckless on the monitor, once more offering a feast for the eyes and ears. Volkswagen stunned everybody with an unofficial public premiere, with model boss Thomas Schäfer, racing legend Hans-Joachim “Striezel” Caught, and six-time rally cross world champion Johan Kristoffersson drifting throughout the ice within the still-camouflaged next-generation Golf R.

As with a majority of these occasions, it introduced fairly a visitor listing collectively. Whereas the Porsche household and RUF had been current, Automobili Amos showcased his newest restomod, the Delta Safarista. Competing had been Olympic and World Cup ski champion Marcel Hirscher, who evoked recollections of the late US drift star Ken Block within the electrically powered Audi S1 Hoonitron, former Method 1 driver Mark Webber (Porsche Taycan), and present Method 1 star Valtteri Bottas (Porsche 911 Dakar), who accomplished just a few laps on an unfamiliar monitor. Raimund Baumschlager, Austria’s 14-time nationwide rally champion, stirred up a number of snow within the Purple Bull Skoda, as did DTM champion Bruno Spengler within the Dakar Rally-winning MINI.

Thanks to everybody concerned. I hope you benefit from the photos that attempt to seize what this occasion meant to me. Because of the FAT workforce for sustaining the occasion.

By the way in which, in the event you reside on the opposite aspect of the pond, the excellent news is {that a} related occasion (in all probability with extra snow and ice) is about to happen in Aspen.

To high off my extraordinary journey, I made a decision to return dwelling through a distinct route. On the toll sales space, I noticed a mint-condition 959. My coronary heart skipped a beat, and by the point I realised what I had seen, it was gone. Nonetheless, this was not my final encounter with the automotive and its proprietor, however that will likely be one other story for you all.